OK - I promise this is the last of the ghetto postings (at least for a little while,) but given that I happened to visit KFC today for the launch of its new grilled chicken option, I feel an obligation to my loyal followers to let you know how it went!
My intention was not to eat grilled chicken, and as a lot of you know I am a HUGE KFC fan, but S decided he was going to be all healthy and I didn't want to fat it up alone. We both went for the 2-piece grilled chicken meal (thigh and drumstick, duh) with cole slaw, mashed potatoes and gravy, and biscuit. The grilled chicken isn't bad, just a little bland, and it's certainly way better for you than the fried, but what makes KFC so good, that signature blend of 12 spices, fried to perfection is the whole reason I go. Plus without the volume added by that extra crispy batter, these pieces were downright puny! I can do better with my Foreman grill and some Red Robin seasoning.
So the grilled chicken campaign slogan is "Unthink what you thought about KFC." I think KFC is sublime...don't fix it if it aint broken! People don't come to KFC to be healthy and there is no chance in hell I'm getting grilled chicken on my next visit.
The Verdict: Not Worth It Unless You Prefer the Foreman Over Finger-Lickin Good
Monday, April 20, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Obsession: Taco Bell's 7-Layer Dip Nachos
So I convinced S that it was a good idea to get a little snack. Today was just one of those days where no matter how much or how badly I ate, I just wasn't satisfied. Nachos seemed like a good idea - probably since my Mexican food craving has yet to be satiated (I'm still bitter K,) so off to Taco Bell we went. Taco Bell has a "Why Pay More" nacho menu at 79, 89 and 99 cent price points and I decided to go for the Cadillac of the nacho selection, topped with 7-Layer Dip which consisted of ranchero sauce, cheese sauce, sour cream, beans, guacamole, tortilla strips and tomatoes. Totally hits the spot when you really want a savory snack but small enough so that even though you really shouldn't, it's not the end of the world. So ok - maybe the tortilla strips shouldn't count as a layer since it's redundant but who cares? You can't beat 99 cents. And bad for you goodness.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
SF Chronicle's Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants
My beloved list has just been posted for 2009 - check it out: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/food/top100/2009cuisine
Thanks for the hot tip R!
Thanks for the hot tip R!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Bodega Bistro
607 Larkin St. (between Eddy & Willow)
(415) 921-1218
www.bodegabistrosf.com
When given the choice, it seems W will always opt for the more adventurous option, so when I suggested Vietnamese, he was game. Naturally. My favorite Vietnamese spot in SF is Bodega Bistro because it satisfies the hole-in-the-wall yet affordable attributes that characterize Vietnamese food, but the quality of the food is high and the ambiance is a departure from the sketchy neighborhood in which the restaurant resides.
Since I knew what was up, I ordered for us and started us off with the Nom, a shredded papaya salad tossed with beef jerky, crushed peanuts and fish sauce. I always start with this dish at BB because I like how fresh it tastes as well as the different textures that kick off the meal. And I love that they toss and serve it up for you. Next, we shared the Bun Cha Ca Hanoi, consisting of sauteed sole with dill brought to the table on a sizzling platter, served with different salads and greens, cold vermicelli noodles, and a thick, pungent shrimp-based sauce that W quickly found out is an acquired taste. Last, we shared the Bo Luc Lac, tender filet mignon cubes marinated in garlic, pepper and spices, and served with lemon juice, salt and pepper.
While I'd much rather go to San Jose for the endless variety and even cheaper prices, I find Bodega Bistro to be completely satisfying and I will definitely be back every time I get a hankering for Vietnamese.
The Verdict: Worth It
(415) 921-1218
www.bodegabistrosf.com
When given the choice, it seems W will always opt for the more adventurous option, so when I suggested Vietnamese, he was game. Naturally. My favorite Vietnamese spot in SF is Bodega Bistro because it satisfies the hole-in-the-wall yet affordable attributes that characterize Vietnamese food, but the quality of the food is high and the ambiance is a departure from the sketchy neighborhood in which the restaurant resides.
Since I knew what was up, I ordered for us and started us off with the Nom, a shredded papaya salad tossed with beef jerky, crushed peanuts and fish sauce. I always start with this dish at BB because I like how fresh it tastes as well as the different textures that kick off the meal. And I love that they toss and serve it up for you. Next, we shared the Bun Cha Ca Hanoi, consisting of sauteed sole with dill brought to the table on a sizzling platter, served with different salads and greens, cold vermicelli noodles, and a thick, pungent shrimp-based sauce that W quickly found out is an acquired taste. Last, we shared the Bo Luc Lac, tender filet mignon cubes marinated in garlic, pepper and spices, and served with lemon juice, salt and pepper.
While I'd much rather go to San Jose for the endless variety and even cheaper prices, I find Bodega Bistro to be completely satisfying and I will definitely be back every time I get a hankering for Vietnamese.
The Verdict: Worth It
SPQR
1911 Fillmore St (between Bush & Pine)
(415) 771-7779
www.spqrsf.com
Z and I decided to catch up somewhere neither of us had been so I suggested SPQR. I've been hearing a lot of people talk about it lately, especially in the context of it being better than A16 (same owners) and even though I think A16 is hugely overrated, I decided we should give SPQR a shot.
SPQR has a huge selection of antipasti (hot, cold and fried) at $8 each or you can get three for $21 which was clearly the right decision. Z and I chose to get one from each category and upon the server's recommendation, ended up with the Sunchokes, radicchio, tangerines, almonds and parsley; Grilled pecorino with walnut agrodolce; and the Brussels sprouts with garlic, parsley, capers and lemon. The sunchoke salad was refreshing with the citrus from the tangerines and I really liked the texture that the almonds provided. The grilled pecorino cheese was the clear favorite and definitely the best thing we had all night. Essentially it was quesadilla-like, gooey on the inside, crisp on the outside - minus the tortilla. And the agrodolce, a reduction of vinegar and sugar combined with the walnuts served as the ideal spread for this oozy goodness. The brussels were a case of lust at first bite. Once we got about a third of the way through, we started to get fatigued of the overfried and the oversalted.
We rounded out the meal with the Lasagna with pork sausage, mushrooms, ricotta and tomato that our server said was one of the best dishes on the menu - along with the Carbonara pasta which she said was a specialty. We chose the lasagna because we wanted a little meat with our meal and I was just not really impressed. I did appreciate that the sausage pieces were discernible and tasted of quality meat, but I was not okay with the fact that the noodles were soggy. Not lasagna soggy, but Chef Boyardee soggy. Not cool. And because I wasn't feeling quite satisfied and Z will always humor the hungry beast within, we gambled on an order of the rigatoni with Carbonara compiled with guanciale (Italian bacon,) eggs, black pepper and pecorino, and oh what a mistake. Already full, I was hoping that this signature dish would be everything I'd ever imagined, but instead it was underegged, underbaconed and overgreased and oversalty...again.
We didn't give up there though and took the advice of the couple next to us that proclaimed the Riso budino with dates, lemon and pistachios or rice pudding as the best thing ever! And while this dessert was good, it was oatmeal-like so felt more suited as a breakfast item. And the rice pudding itself was creamy and milky but the candied dates and lemon were way too sweet and almost ruined it. Best dessert ever is a huge overstatement. Recommendations like that really need to be qualified.
SPQR is indeed better than A16. But it fell just short of my expectations.
The Verdict: Almost Worth It
(415) 771-7779
www.spqrsf.com
Z and I decided to catch up somewhere neither of us had been so I suggested SPQR. I've been hearing a lot of people talk about it lately, especially in the context of it being better than A16 (same owners) and even though I think A16 is hugely overrated, I decided we should give SPQR a shot.
SPQR has a huge selection of antipasti (hot, cold and fried) at $8 each or you can get three for $21 which was clearly the right decision. Z and I chose to get one from each category and upon the server's recommendation, ended up with the Sunchokes, radicchio, tangerines, almonds and parsley; Grilled pecorino with walnut agrodolce; and the Brussels sprouts with garlic, parsley, capers and lemon. The sunchoke salad was refreshing with the citrus from the tangerines and I really liked the texture that the almonds provided. The grilled pecorino cheese was the clear favorite and definitely the best thing we had all night. Essentially it was quesadilla-like, gooey on the inside, crisp on the outside - minus the tortilla. And the agrodolce, a reduction of vinegar and sugar combined with the walnuts served as the ideal spread for this oozy goodness. The brussels were a case of lust at first bite. Once we got about a third of the way through, we started to get fatigued of the overfried and the oversalted.
We rounded out the meal with the Lasagna with pork sausage, mushrooms, ricotta and tomato that our server said was one of the best dishes on the menu - along with the Carbonara pasta which she said was a specialty. We chose the lasagna because we wanted a little meat with our meal and I was just not really impressed. I did appreciate that the sausage pieces were discernible and tasted of quality meat, but I was not okay with the fact that the noodles were soggy. Not lasagna soggy, but Chef Boyardee soggy. Not cool. And because I wasn't feeling quite satisfied and Z will always humor the hungry beast within, we gambled on an order of the rigatoni with Carbonara compiled with guanciale (Italian bacon,) eggs, black pepper and pecorino, and oh what a mistake. Already full, I was hoping that this signature dish would be everything I'd ever imagined, but instead it was underegged, underbaconed and overgreased and oversalty...again.
We didn't give up there though and took the advice of the couple next to us that proclaimed the Riso budino with dates, lemon and pistachios or rice pudding as the best thing ever! And while this dessert was good, it was oatmeal-like so felt more suited as a breakfast item. And the rice pudding itself was creamy and milky but the candied dates and lemon were way too sweet and almost ruined it. Best dessert ever is a huge overstatement. Recommendations like that really need to be qualified.
SPQR is indeed better than A16. But it fell just short of my expectations.
The Verdict: Almost Worth It
PF Chang's China Bistro (Palo Alto)
900 Stanford Shopping Center (650) 330-1782
www.pfchangs.com
L and K were nice enough to let us crash their date night, so W and I headed over to meet them at PF Chang's.
We decided to have a couple of drinks at the bar over a game of Left Right Center (thanks L, that was so much fun,) but when four spots opened up, thought we might as well have dinner there too. L and I tackled the menu and decided on the Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps appetizer, the Mongolian Beef, the Crisp Honey Shrimp and the Dan Dan noodles - all to share.
The lettuce wraps at PF Chang's are a signature and to this day, I haven't been anywhere that does them better. Definitely a must. We deployed a trick I was taught at the Corte Madera PF Chang's and asked to substitute the scallions for asparagus in the Mongolian Beef. I've always loved the caramel-y sweetness of the Mongolian Beef at PF Chang's and with the asparagus sub, everyone agreed that it was a hit. The shrimp was crisped to perfection without a trace of greasiness and was glazed in the requisite hint of honey. We thought it odd that the menu doesn't really tell you what the Dan Dan noodles are, but W's a fan, so we ordered them. It turns out the noodles are egg-based flat noodles, with just the right amount of chewiness, tossed in a gravy sauce with ground chicken. Very simple but very good. Authentic it's not, but for me, this meal was perfect.
By the way, as I was perusing the PF Chang's Web site, I came across a menu called Chang's for Two - which includes two cups of soup, an app, two entrees and two mini desserts for 40 bucks. I'd say PF Chang's is a pretty good deal to begin with, but this is definitely worth checking out: http://www.pfchangs.com/pdfs/ChangsFor2Menu_Jan09.pdf
I will maintain that when it comes to PF Chang's, it's all about which one you go to. PA , Corte Madera and La Jolla? Yum. P-town and Sunnyvale, not so much.
The Verdict: Worth It At the Right Location
Amber India
25 Yerba Buena Ln (between Market & Mission)
(415) 777-0500
www.amber-india.com/SanFrancisco
I'd been to the original Amber India in Mountain View for the buffet lunch with the fam before, so was pretty excited to show M how awesome this place is in the new location in SF, post happy hour at Press Club.
We decided to share the signature Butter Chicken which I insisted on and the Wild Mushrooms Teen Saag with some basmati rice and the Lacha Paratha. The first comment I'll make is that though we had plenty of food for two girls (even with one of them being myself,) the portions at Amber India are way too small! The Butter Chicken, though delicious, was no better or different than Chicken Tikka Masala I've had elsewhere. Same creamy tomato-based sauce that I'd argue is just as good at Naan and Curry for a fraction of the price. The saving grace to the scarce morsels of tandoori chicken was the plentiful sauce left on the plate - perfect for lapping up with bread. Our saag veggie dish consisted of cumin and garlic spiced spinach, dill, and mustard greens with cremini, shitake and button mushrooms. I love spinach and mushrooms so this dish could really do no wrong - especially since the mushroom pieces were substantial and juicy - however, I couldn't help feeling like I could make this dish myself.
The real standout during the meal with the Lacha Paratha, flaky and layered whole wheat bread that was warm, nutty and light. But again, you get four measly triangles at nearly a dollar a piece so we had to ask for a second order. Come on bro!
I'd say M and I had a good meal, but the bang for buck was just not there for dinner. I'm happy to come back for the buffet anytime.
The Verdict: Worth It Only For Lunch
(415) 777-0500
www.amber-india.com/SanFrancisco
I'd been to the original Amber India in Mountain View for the buffet lunch with the fam before, so was pretty excited to show M how awesome this place is in the new location in SF, post happy hour at Press Club.
We decided to share the signature Butter Chicken which I insisted on and the Wild Mushrooms Teen Saag with some basmati rice and the Lacha Paratha. The first comment I'll make is that though we had plenty of food for two girls (even with one of them being myself,) the portions at Amber India are way too small! The Butter Chicken, though delicious, was no better or different than Chicken Tikka Masala I've had elsewhere. Same creamy tomato-based sauce that I'd argue is just as good at Naan and Curry for a fraction of the price. The saving grace to the scarce morsels of tandoori chicken was the plentiful sauce left on the plate - perfect for lapping up with bread. Our saag veggie dish consisted of cumin and garlic spiced spinach, dill, and mustard greens with cremini, shitake and button mushrooms. I love spinach and mushrooms so this dish could really do no wrong - especially since the mushroom pieces were substantial and juicy - however, I couldn't help feeling like I could make this dish myself.
The real standout during the meal with the Lacha Paratha, flaky and layered whole wheat bread that was warm, nutty and light. But again, you get four measly triangles at nearly a dollar a piece so we had to ask for a second order. Come on bro!
I'd say M and I had a good meal, but the bang for buck was just not there for dinner. I'm happy to come back for the buffet anytime.
The Verdict: Worth It Only For Lunch
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